Understanding weather systems is a matter of life and death for sailors ...
Come hell Understanding weather systems is a matter of life and death for sailors. The Vendée Globe yacht race challenges competitors to sail non-stop solo round the world using only general weather reports. No wonder it’s called the Everest of the seas…
10 /
/ NOVEMBER 2016
A world like no other November
To find out more about the famous sailing race, visit vendee globe.org
or high water… n 1999, British yachtsman Alex Thomson their own judgments on which route is safest, based on hurtled through gargantuan waves at general weather forecasts. an electrifying speed, becoming the The data format used to transmit weather forecasts at youngest yachtsman (he was 25 years sea is called Gridded Binary (GRIB). This tells the skipper old) to win a round-the-world sailing competition in the about the strength and height of the waves, surface Clipper Race. This year, he has set his sights on winning pressure and the direction and speed of the wind. A team of Britain’s first team gold medal in the Vendée Globe race. His meteorologists called The Great Circle working with Vendée newly built boat – an 18-metre racing yacht made entirely Globe has taken this technology a step further to create a of carbon fibre – uses similar technologies to Formula 1. new referencing tool called Squid, which combines satellite It doesn’t provide much protection against the elements. images with traditional GRIB weather forecasts. However, Alex describes it as ‘the freezing-cold satellite images are only transmitted to carbon coffin that I call home.’ competitors in emergencies where their Even though Thomson’s taken part lives are at stake. NEXT ISSUE Join us in Micronesia in the race once before, achieving During his career, Thomson has had his and meet some of the success is easier said than done. The boat dismasted, been thwarted by rudder smartest creatures of rules of the Vendée Globe are resolute; damage and has been rescued by fellow the deep; and check out competitors are not allowed to receive yachtsman Mike Golding. Only time will tell the trees in a famous personalised weather reports or any if the new improved model will stand the tropical city that are other routing information. They make both artificial and alive test of the elements in this year’s race.
Words: Yashi Banymadhub. Photograph: Alamy
I
10 /
/ NOVEMBER 2016
A world like no other November
To find out more about the famous sailing race, visit vendee globe.org
or high water… n 1999, British yachtsman Alex Thomson their own judgments on which route is safest, based on hurtled through gargantuan waves at general weather forecasts. an electrifying speed, becoming the The data format used to transmit weather forecasts at youngest yachtsman (he was 25 years sea is called Gridded Binary (GRIB). This tells the skipper old) to win a round-the-world sailing competition in the about the strength and height of the waves, surface Clipper Race. This year, he has set his sights on winning pressure and the direction and speed of the wind. A team of Britain’s first team gold medal in the Vendée Globe race. His meteorologists called The Great Circle working with Vendée newly built boat – an 18-metre racing yacht made entirely Globe has taken this technology a step further to create a of carbon fibre – uses similar technologies to Formula 1. new referencing tool called Squid, which combines satellite It doesn’t provide much protection against the elements. images with traditional GRIB weather forecasts. However, Alex describes it as ‘the freezing-cold satellite images are only transmitted to carbon coffin that I call home.’ competitors in emergencies where their Even though Thomson’s taken part lives are at stake. NEXT ISSUE Join us in Micronesia in the race once before, achieving During his career, Thomson has had his and meet some of the success is easier said than done. The boat dismasted, been thwarted by rudder smartest creatures of rules of the Vendée Globe are resolute; damage and has been rescued by fellow the deep; and check out competitors are not allowed to receive yachtsman Mike Golding. Only time will tell the trees in a famous personalised weather reports or any if the new improved model will stand the tropical city that are other routing information. They make both artificial and alive test of the elements in this year’s race.
Words: Yashi Banymadhub. Photograph: Alamy
I
